THE family of an Olympian who died in a collision on the A1(M) last week have paid a touching tribute to the father-of-one.

Rob Pope, 44, from Hitchin, was pronounced dead at the scene after his motorbike collided with two cars on Friday.

The London-based firefighter, who represented Great Britain on the Olympic bobsleigh team in 1994 in Norway, had a six-year-old son.

Speaking this week, wife Nicky said: “Rob was a wonderful husband and father to our son. We shared many happy years together with some memorable holidays including going across the west of America on a Harley Davidson motorcycle which we thoroughly enjoyed.

“Rob was a joker and always saw the amusing side to life. He doted on our little boy and we will never forget him.”

Emergency services and the Herts Air Ambulance were called to the scene of the incident at junction 3 on the motorway, just before 8.40am.

An off-duty nurse, doctor and paramedic also rushed to his aid in the minutes after the collision.

Mrs Pope said: “We would like to offer our sincere and heartfelt thanks to all of the people who have helped us since the terrible incident on Friday including the paramedics and air ambulance, the police and all of our family and friends who have been so kind and have supported us.

“We will never forget Rob, he will always be in our hearts.”

Mr Pope was also described by his family as a keen sportsman.

He represented Finchley Golf Club in its scratch team and was also a member of athletic club Shaftesbury Harriers.

He grew up in Mill Hill, London, before joining the London Fire Brigade at the age of 21, and received his long service medal earlier this month.

His sister Joanne said: “He was always based at Euston Fire Station and really loved his job. He completed many courses during his career and took such pride in what he did.

“Our dad was also a fire fighter and our mum’s uncle so there has always been a lot of pride in our family about what he did for a living.”

• Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision, which involved Mr Pope’s Yamaha motorcycle, a Silver Ford Galaxy and a Silver Ford Focus. Call 101 with any information.